Video: Leach goes off on SR's John Blanchette

[FnuLnu]

Blanchette is dying inside because the women went through the absolutely the toughest, no excuses, route to the College Cup, so he can't slight us on that. Blanchette hated Mike Price, a really nice guy, and claimed we backed into the 1998 Rose Bowl because it was a down year for USC. Do you really think he is going to take it easy on a coach who is utterly owned by the Huskies? Blanchette kissed only Chappy's arse, because he won in dominant fashion. Leach get out there, sell yourself to the kids you need, starting recruiting like Price, you will dominate. You won 6 games with Wulff's top 100 talent. Trust me, Blanchette will kiss arse if you take us to the playoffs.

The Price hating seemed odd. It was like he wanted to be a coach firing columnist and thought he saw in Price's stunts weakness (same crap Pete Carroll has done, still does)

Boy did Mike Price have a good staff clear down to the grad assistants starting out in 1989.

And boy did they get out coached badly in Pac 10 play that year. Unlike Wulff, Price admitted it.

 

[BiggsCoug]

They had enough talent to win 8-9 games. Leach sucked this year. It’s one thing if he takes some accountability. Sometimes those of us that are good at our jobs have a shitty year. Will he figure out what he needs to do to fix it or will he point the finger at others?

They have the talent to have won 5 more and given Utah a much tougher game.

This was a league title run team that was coached to 6-6.

UCLA, ASU, UO all winnable.
Cal had a pick 8 in their 33 points.
uw is not great at all.

Pissed this year away.

 

[ElComanche]

I think that Leach is trying to secure another job. His team looked terrible today If he can blame the ass kicking on recruiting then that somehow absolves him of a terrible game plan.

 

[royhobbs2]

the defensive personnel is bad, Jalen Thompson leaving hurt an already weak squad. How many nfl players over there ?

The recievers and Borghi are good, AG ? against Oregon he was...other than that I don't know.

If you count a bowl win as 7, the ucla game is 8, and the Oregon game is 9. They needed some luck against Oregon and they pissed away the ucla game. This is not a good team.

Biggs what 2 nfl qbs are on the roster ? since you know what you are looking at.

 

[dgibbons]

They have the talent to have won 5 more and given Utah a much tougher game.

This was a league title run team that was coached to 6-6.

UCLA, ASU, UO all winnable.
Cal had a pick 8 in their 33 points.
uw is not great at all.

Pissed this year away.

Proving you’ve lost whatever marbles you had.

 

[BiggsCoug]

the defensive personnel is bad, Jalen Thompson leaving hurt an already weak squad. How many nfl players over there ?

The recievers and Borghi are good, AG ? against Oregon he was...other than that I don't know.

If you count a bowl win as 7, the ucla game is 8, and the Oregon game is 9. They needed some luck against Oregon and they pissed away the ucla game. This is not a good team.

Biggs what 2 nfl qbs are on the roster ? since you know what you are looking at.

I think AG and GG will be in camps. Will they make a roster? No clue. But they are talented enough to be there and get a look.

 

[BiggsCoug]

the defensive personnel is bad, Jalen Thompson leaving hurt an already weak squad. How many nfl players over there ?

The recievers and Borghi are good, AG ? against Oregon he was...other than that I don't know.

If you count a bowl win as 7, the ucla game is 8, and the Oregon game is 9. They needed some luck against Oregon and they pissed away the ucla game. This is not a good team.

Biggs what 2 nfl qbs are on the roster ? since you know what you are looking at.

I dont give the defense a pass. I also dont ignore the fact that they defended short fields all season. Or that the offense couldnt score more than 13. Or that the offense kept turning the ball over. Or that the special teams gave up scores. Or that the offense gave up scores.

Its a lot easier to play defense when the offense doesnt play dumb football.

 

[FnuLnu]

I think AG and GG will be in camps. Will they make a roster? No clue. But they are talented enough to be there and get a look.

Camps?

CFL? XFL? Girl Scouts? freeway overpass?

 

[dgibbons]

I dont give the defense a pass. I also dont ignore the fact that they defended short fields all season. Or that the offense couldnt score more than 13. Or that the offense kept turning the ball over. Or that the special teams gave up scores. Or that the offense gave up scores.

Its a lot easier to play defense when the offense doesnt play dumb football.

You absolutely excuse the defense. Your rant about how Buddy Ryan would punch Leach is Exhibit A. You’re flat out stupid.

 

[royhobbs2]

the "stupid offense" is the only reason Leach is employed, and WSU football has been turned around, that's all Leach is , the offense. Its any thing but stupid.

 

[PINGDUDE4]

I think that Leach is trying to secure another job. His team looked terrible today If he can blame the ass kicking on recruiting then that somehow absolves him of a terrible game plan.

As far as Leach trying to secure another job, the man has a 20 season resume, if someone wants to hire him they ain't basing it on a one game between two 6-5 teams.

 

[BiggsCoug]

the "stupid offense" is the only reason Leach is employed, and WSU football has been turned around, that's all Leach is , the offense. Its any thing but stupid.

Turning over the ball 6 times? Throwing pick 6’s? Zero run game?

How bout running off the field after taking a knee on an untimed down like you ran out the clock?

Or maybe doing backflips and getting a penalty??

Yeah, this was some of the dumbest football Ive seen in Pullman.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

That's exactly the point. If Leach doesn't believe it's possible without closing the recruiting gap, then he's telling us it's not possible.

Everyone is missing the other half of what he is saying.

He's also taking a shot at the media for doing what they all do - just handing out 4 and 5 star recruiting rankings to the likes of Oregon and UW because of who they are. Then he puts it back on them with "well, you're the ones saying they are so awesome, so why are you acting surprised that they won?"

Not that that was the point that needed to be made at that particular time - he's lashing out because he just got his ass kicked again - but I don't think he was making an excuse with the recruiting rankings.

 

[OrangeGravy]

Unclear if there is some kind of incredible misunderstanding here.

• Leach pointed to recruiting to explain 7 straight AC losses
• I am pointing out the same thing you are here - that he's done far more with far less
• Leach pointing to that makes no sense
• If he is saying we can't expect wins until we close that gap, then we should just... not expect wins

It's match up thing. Putting aside any possible changes to system/scheme because you know he isn't gonna do that. UW's defensive scheme is a problem for us because they have the athletes to execute it. Cal can run it against us to a lesser degree. The best position group for UW in this stretch has been the secondary, which also hurts. So looking at it through that lens, the only thing that will change the results are better players. Not saying that is right or wrong, but that's the way Leach is gonna see it and he isn't gonna risk messing with his system that gets home a lot of wins for one bad match up.
It's time fans accept that for what it is. There's no sense in wringing our hands over it. Either accept it and the wins that have come with it or call for a new coach. Short of backing into a really good defense one of these days, those are the only 2 options really.

 

[M-I-Coug]

Suppose I see more Theo than Blanchette. Can someone inform why John Blanchett, (I know he's into Zags), has a bad rep, for his articles about Cougar Football?

 

[OrangeGravy]

I was thinking the same thing earlier, this team is like one of the teams at WSU when Leach took over. Its a bad team, deeply flawed and held together with string and bandaids.

He may have done a pretty good job just to get this team to a bowl game.
Its basically a cycle, the program isn't good enough to reload and every 3-4 years is going to crap out and have a "rebuilding year". Hopefully the recruiting gets better so this doesn't reoccur as often. I think staff retention is pretty high up on the list to keep things going in the right direction. Some funds, maybe even out of Leachs own pocket have to go to getting good coaches and retaining them. If I was Chun that would be a weak area I would focus on.

And it never will be with our resources

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

Suppose I see more Theo than Blanchette. Can someone inform why John Blanchett, (I know he's into Zags), has a bad rep, for his articles about Cougar Football?

He took any chance he could to be as negative as he could about anything Cougar Football. He could find the turd in a gold mine and then tell you your wasting your time mining sh!t.

 

[FnuLnu]

Suppose I see more Theo than Blanchette. Can someone inform why John Blanchett, (I know he's into Zags), has a bad rep, for his articles about Cougar Football?

Hated Mike Price and tried to get him fired early on (1990-1992). Thought Price was phony & couldnt coach. Price doing rah rah stunts that Pete Carroll does. (For comparison never ran a Fire Doba or Fire Wulff column)

Always trolled WSU. Liked John Chaplin though.

And would steal column ideas from message boards

 

[M-I-Coug]

Hated Mike Price and tried to get him fired early on (1990-1992). Thought Price was phony & couldnt coach. Price doing rah rah stunts that Pete Carroll does. (For comparison never ran a Fire Doba or Fire Wulff column)

Always trolled WSU. Liked John Chaplin though.

And would steal column ideas from message boards

Wonder if his boss will do anything, because of what happened today with Leach?

 

[royhobbs2]

And it never will be with our resources

That's pretty tough, because there only so many Alex Grinchs out there. I don't see how 1 million a year couldn't be taken from somewhere else and dedicated to keeping a good staff/dc in place. The staff that is getting raided is directly related to recruiting. Salavea was not only a great coach but brought in all the good players from the islands. Oregon is killing us with their poaching.
I like the players Leach is bringing in, I think recruiting is alright as far as 2019,2020-and that's because of California...which I think is easier for Leach to recruit than Texas, because tech was 5th hind tit down there.

 

[FnuLnu]

Wonder if his boss will do anything, because of what happened today with Leach?

They probably liked this actually.

And the publishing family has never liked WSU that much either.

Why else has the guy survived all the purges at SR?

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

Wonder if his boss will do anything, because of what happened today with Leach?

Journalist types are thick as thieves. The S-R LOVES what he's doing, else he wouldn't be there doing it 20+ years. Hell, I'm guessing he gets a raise.

 

[OrangeGravy]

That's pretty tough, because there only so many Alex Grinchs out there. I don't see how 1 million a year couldn't be taken from somewhere else and dedicated to keeping a good staff/dc in place. The staff that is getting raided is directly related to recruiting. Salavea was not only a great coach but brought in all the good players from the islands. Oregon is killing us with their poaching.
I like the players Leach is bringing in, I think recruiting is alright as far as 2019,2020-and that's because of California...which I think is easier for Leach to recruit than Texas, because tech was 5th hind tit down there.

That coaching attrition is always going to happen though. Our best hope is that the poaching is spread out and not bunched up like it has been. It can't happen a lot in a 2 season span. All that being said, none of those things are gonna keep us from being a program that has down/rebuilding years every 3-5 years or so. That won't change no matter what happens short of Saban/Meyer coming here.

 

[dgibbons]

Wonder if his boss will do anything, because of what happened today with Leach?

Chun should pull his media credential.

 

[dgibbons]

They probably liked this actually.

And the publishing family has never liked WSU that much either.

Why else has the guy survived all the purges at SR?

He survived by taking a pay cut.

But yes, this gives Johnny boy far more attention then he deserves.

 

[royhobbs2]

I agree, I think a lot of folks got spoiled by last year and thought we were going to build on 11-2. I have to say I had no idea this year would be this much of a struggle, I didn't foresee the defenses problems, compounded by staff shortages. I did recognize early on that Gordon lacked poise and was inconsistent, air raid qb is more cererbral than anything.

 

[OrangeGravy]

I agree, I think a lot of folks got spoiled by last year and thought we were going to build on 11-2. I have to say I had no idea this year would be this much of a struggle, I didn't foresee the defenses problems, compounded by staff shortages. I did recognize early on that Gordon lacked poise and was inconsistent, air raid qb is more cererbral than anything.

Last season is what WSU can be with a QB that understands how to win football games, not just run plays.

Put the UCLA game in the win column and this season is basically the same as the Folk years. Last season spoiled us and made us forget about the inconsistent QB play we had prior to last season. The defense has never been good and the QB play is back to what it was.

 

[PeteTheChop]

Can someone inform why John Blanchett has a bad rep, for his articles about Cougar Football?

Observer is one of the elite Spokane/Spokane Valley posters on this site.

He revealed that believe it or not, Blanchet isn’t the worst columnist in Spokesman-Review history.

There was some other guy at that birdcage liner who was even less competent than their resident sanctimonious troll.

 

[CougPatrol]

One area of our team that I’ve felt was seriously overhyped this season is WR. We have good depth, but that’s it.

There isn’t a difference maker on the roster. Nobody who demands double coverage, no burner on the outside, nobody who can high point 50/50 balls. We have a roster loaded with 2s and slot receivers, and it’s a problem.

 

[OrangeGravy]

One area of our team that I’ve felt was seriously overhyped this season is WR. We have good depth, but that’s it.

There isn’t a difference maker on the roster. Nobody who demands double coverage, no burner on the outside, nobody who can high point 50/50 balls. We have a roster loaded with 2s and slot receivers, and it’s a problem.

That position group isn't very physical.

 

[BiggsCoug]

One area of our team that I’ve felt was seriously overhyped this season is WR. We have good depth, but that’s it.

There isn’t a difference maker on the roster. Nobody who demands double coverage, no burner on the outside, nobody who can high point 50/50 balls. We have a roster loaded with 2s and slot receivers, and it’s a problem.

I’d love to see Harris get more catches.

There is no one that can take the top off the defense. They dont stretch the field vertically at all.

4 WRs on 8 DBs.... everyone is doubled already.

If you wanna see the defense scramble, make them add a 4th DL and subtract a DB. Then you’ll see what toll a double team takes.

 

[BleedCrimsonandGray]

Last season is what WSU can be with a QB that understands how to win football games, not just run plays.

Put the UCLA game in the win column and this season is basically the same as the Folk years. Last season spoiled us and made us forget about the inconsistent QB play we had prior to last season. The defense has never been good and the QB play is back to what it was.

Its the rub with the Air Raid.

Here you have a quarterback centric offense, and you need a guy who has the guts and ability to complete 50 passes a game AND hopefully stretch the field (otherwise its dink and dunk... might as well bring Tuel back and we can go back to scoring 28ppg.)

Yet on the other hand this same guy has to have enough wisdom to know that he CAN'T do it on his arm alone, and has to incorporate the run, throw the ball away instead of taking a sack, and/ or jog for a 5 yard gain.

Its maddening to watch Falk/ AG sit back there for 5-6 seconds and not find anything. That isn't how the offense is supposed to run, and despite the fact that at that point it is technically a broken play, I feel like AG thinks "HEY, NOW THIS IS MY TIME TO SHINE! I'LL BE JUST LIKE RUSS WILSON!!"

I'd be curious to know how many broken plays Falk and AG had compared to Minshew - the "over 3 seconds to get the pass off" type broken plays. My guess is that its 2 or 3 times as many. Which means that the windows are there, AG just won't pull the trigger for some reason - waiting for the homerun ball I guess? Did he ever notice that GMII threw the back shoulder go route usually right after the snap? But AG is waiting for the safety to get beamed up by an alien or something? I don't know. Like I said, maddening. He should be much further along than he is, so unfortunately I have to agree with some of the other posters here that it comes down to hubris. And I don't mean that in a Ryan Leaf asshole way, I mean he thinks way too highly of his ability to single-handedly win games.

 

[Glad Cougar]

We were a crap team this year. Stanford and Oregon State are bad teams. Cal is a bad team. Colorado is a bad team. ASU is a bad team. UCLA is a bad team.

Our best game of the season was at Oregon. In retrospect, we’re fortunate as Hell to be 6-6.

Right. We never beat a team with a winning record this year.

Glad Cougar

 

[CougPatrol]

Harris is good. So is Bell, so is Winston, so is Arconado. But they can be covered.

I had high hopes for Patmon, but he’s too slow and his hips are too stiff to play wide out. In a different system, he probably could have beefed up and played TE.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

Chun should pull his media credential.

Our administration has no backbone and won't do anything.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

They have the talent to have won 5 more and given Utah a much tougher game.

This was a league title run team that was coached to 6-6.

UCLA, ASU, UO all winnable.
Cal had a pick 8 in their 33 points.
uw is not great at all.

Pissed this year away.

For discussion purposes (I think we'll agree), does WSU win more games this season with GG starting at the helm over AG?

 

[BiggsCoug]

Its the rub with the Air Raid.

Here you have a quarterback centric offense, and you need a guy who has the guts and ability to complete 50 passes a game AND hopefully stretch the field (otherwise its dink and dunk... might as well bring Tuel back and we can go back to scoring 28ppg.)

Yet on the other hand this same guy has to have enough wisdom to know that he CAN'T do it on his arm alone, and has to incorporate the run, throw the ball away instead of taking a sack, and/ or jog for a 5 yard gain.

Its maddening to watch Falk/ AG sit back there for 5-6 seconds and not find anything. That isn't how the offense is supposed to run, and despite the fact that at that point it is technically a broken play, I feel like AG thinks "HEY, NOW THIS IS MY TIME TO SHINE! I'LL BE JUST LIKE RUSS WILSON!!"

I'd be curious to know how many broken plays Falk and AG had compared to Minshew - the "over 3 seconds to get the pass off" type broken plays. My guess is that its 2 or 3 times as many. Which means that the windows are there, AG just won't pull the trigger for some reason - waiting for the homerun ball I guess? Did he ever notice that GMII threw the back shoulder go route usually right after the snap? But AG is waiting for the safety to get beamed up by an alien or something? I don't know. Like I said, maddening. He should be much further along than he is, so unfortunately I have to agree with some of the other posters here that it comes down to hubris. And I don't mean that in a Ryan Leaf asshole way, I mean he thinks way too highly of his ability to single-handedly win games.

It’s a QB centric offense with zero way to change it. If the qb has a bad night there is no one else. No run plays called for MB to take some pressure off. No play action opportunity. Zero play calling savvy. Just lose I guess.

Year 8 and I still think Leach hasnt either found the right QB or coached one into the right QB. Something is always missing.

 

[BiggsCoug]

For discussion purposes (I think we'll agree), does WSU win more games this season with GG starting at the helm over AG?

I dunno. I havent seen enough of GG to say. I will say this....

This season, could be diff in years past or in future seasons, a qb that could run would help immensely.

Moving the chains for a 1st down. Adding a wrinkle to short yardage downs. Even just qb draw. Making the defense prepare and stop a qb that can run opens up the passing game. It wouldve been a huge bonus that won WSU games this year.

 

[GrayOnGray]

Wonder if his boss will do anything, because of what happened today with Leach?

John Blank-check has always gotten away with his smug, cynical efforts to come in on a Coug loss and shoot the wounded. The more bitter the loss, it seemed, the more he would ride his pony, thinking it was a white stallion high horse. He is a good wordsmith, so people think they are being open-minded by continuing to read his hit pieces.

Price HATED him. Doba tolerated him. Wulff deserved him. Moos tried to play nice. FINALLY one of our coaches has called him out.

 

[CougSinceBirth]

I dunno. I havent seen enough of GG to say. I will say this....

This season, could be diff in years past or in future seasons, a qb that could run would help immensely.

Moving the chains for a 1st down. Adding a wrinkle to short yardage downs. Even just qb draw. Making the defense prepare and stop a qb that can run opens up the passing game. It wouldve been a huge bonus that won WSU games this year.

We speak the same language here.